A little more than a decade ago, Thomas Cole's early 19th-century Federal-style home stood in ruins. Not long before that, American art had all but forgotten the landscape painting pioneer, dismissing his classically inspired creations and overlooking his contribution to the nation's cultural legacy.

Restoration efforts continued with a small group of committed trustees and other volunteers laboring to return the property to its former splendor. The main house opened in July 2001, marking the 200th anniversary of Cole's birth, followed by what's known as the Old Studio in 2004. A visitor center and gift shop were added and the grounds were restored.

"Piece by piece, we've been bringing the place back to the way it was in Thomas Cole's time," said Executive Director Elizabeth "Betsy" Jacks. "But one piece is still missing — the New Studio."

American landscape painting was born at and around the Catskill site in 1825, when then 24-year-old Cole traveled up the Hudson River from New York City to paint sites of nature's grandeur in the mountains and valleys. His grand, exalted scenes inspired others to paint America's wild places with equal reverence, and spawned the country's first indigenous art movement, the Hudson River School.

Cole created nearly all the work he is remembered for on the property, from his early landscapes to his later allegorical paintings. After his death in 1848, Cole's descendants stayed at the house until 1979.

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Support his vision

Less than an hour's drive from Albany at Thruway Exit 21 sits Thomas Cole's Federal-style home with a view of the Catskill mountains. The Thomas Cole Historic Site is a nonprofit group that depends on donations to continue the preservation of the painter's home, studios and landscape, as well as to boost awareness about his pivotal role in defining American art. For information, go to http://www.thomascole.org.

Support his vision

Less than an hour's drive from Albany at Thruway Exit 21 sits Thomas Cole's Federal-style home with a view of the Catskill mountains. The Thomas Cole Historic Site is a nonprofit group that depends on donations to continue the preservation of the painter's home, studios and landscape, as well as to boost awareness about his pivotal role in American art. For information, go to http://www.thomascole.org.

The ensuing years were not kind to the property, which had been whittled down from 110 acres. Cole's Italianate-syle studio was demolished in 1973.

The quiet phase of a capital campaign is currently under way to recreate this "New Studio."

Jacks said costs are still being finalized, along with architectural plans, but a public announcement about the campaign is expected this fall.

"Before it fell into disrepair, artists came to the (New Studio) just to absorb some of the genius," said Jacks. "It was a dream studio and a really fitting place for such an accomplished landscape painter, which we're putting back."